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Citation:
Lamont, M. M. 2022. Surveys and population estimates of a distinctive subpopulation of sandhill cranes in the Fraser River Lowlands of British Columbia. Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop 15:103-115.
Abstract:
A poorly understood subpopulation of sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) breeds at scattered locations in the lower
Fraser River Valley on the south coast of British Columbia. The area also harbors the northernmost population of overwintering
sandhill cranes anywhere in its range. While sporadic monitoring has been carried out since the mid-1960s, no formal survey
efforts have been attempted for the entire Fraser River lowland subpopulation. During 2014-2019 we collected groundbased
survey data on presence and occupation of territories within the study area; this effort was supported by citizen science
contributions. On 20 June 2019, we flew a fixed-width, aerial transect survey over known breeding areas. Transects were
flown over 6 wetlands known to historically or currently support sandhill cranes but that were too large or difficult to survey
on foot. Combined aerial and ground surveys estimated that only 12 breeding pairs and an estimated subpopulation size of
approximately 30 individuals were present during the survey year. These survey data represent the first coordinated effort to
estimate the Fraser River lowland population of sandhill cranes. Further research and conservation effort is required for this
subpopulation given its perilously small breeding population, seemingly low recruitment, and growing urban pressures on
remaining habitat.
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© 2022 North American Crane Working Group
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